Powerful winds and severe ocean swells collapsed a key navigation tower and damaged a major pier in Panama’s Colón Province on Thursday. The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) confirmed the incidents forced a temporary suspension of operations at the affected port, creating immediate logistical delays.
The signaling tower, located at the entrance to Manzanillo Bay, fell completely. Officials described the structure as vital for guiding vessels safely into the area’s internal waters. Simultaneously, intense waves caused structural damage to a section of the pier at the Colón Maritime Services Terminal (TMSC) and displaced rocks onto the maneuvering area.
Emergency Response and Safety Measures Activated
A technical team from the maritime authority is now managing the site to mitigate risks. Their primary goal is restoring the critical navigation signal as quickly as possible. The AMP has suspended all port operations at the terminal as a precautionary measure, acknowledging the resulting logistical setbacks and temporary limitations on vessel docking.
Additional storm effects included flooding and waterlogged roads leading to other ports in the province. Those terrestrial conditions have reportedly improved over the course of the day. The authority issued a direct warning to drivers and transport operators in the region.
“We urge drivers and transporters to exercise extreme caution and refrain from using routes that pose a risk to road safety,” the institution warned. [Translated from Spanish]
Restoration efforts are currently focused on the navigation tower, a cornerstone for maritime safety in the busy commercial zone. No injuries have been reported in connection with the infrastructure failures. The timeline for full operational resumption remains unclear, pending further damage assessments and repairs.
This event highlights the vulnerability of coastal infrastructure to extreme weather. It also disrupts a key node in Panama’s extensive logistics and shipping network, potentially affecting regional supply chains until normal operations can resume.